Slashdot Mirror


Microsoft to Buy Stake in AOL

NetDanzr writes "According to various sources (Bloomberg, Reuters, CNet), Microsoft is in talks with Time Warner to buy a stake in AOL. While the size of the stake or its prize has not been disclosed yet, Bloomberg speculates that this deal would profit both companies. Microsoft would profit from merging the AOL portal with MSN, as a strategy to catch up with his rivals in this space Yahoo and Google, while Time Warner would gain some ammunition in its fight with a renegade shareholder, Carl Icahn. According to CNBC, AOL is just about to turn the corner and is currently the most undervalued division of Time Warner."

20 of 333 comments (clear)

  1. I completely believe the CNBC statement by seniorcoder · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why wouldn't a statement come from CNBC declaring this to be a good purchase? It is from such an unbiased source after all.

  2. No, NOOOOO! by Knight+Thrasher · · Score: 4, Funny
    FIREFOX HAS NO MOUSE GESTURE TO EXPRESS MY HORROR!!!!!!!!!!

    This is the single most terrifying news I've heard all week. I'd almost... no, I WOULD prefer an asteroid the size of Texas hurdling at the Earth.

    1. Re:No, NOOOOO! by RapmasterT · · Score: 5, Funny

      Might I suggest a finger gesture instead?

  3. Oh no. by DrEldarion · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just when you thought the world was safe, evil and evil unite. Been nice knowing you guys. I'm off to read "revelations" to see what's about to go down.

  4. Microsoft + AOL by Ann+Elk · · Score: 5, Funny

    Two great things that... uhh... nevermind.

  5. Two wrongs by tompercival · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is this an example of two wrongs not making a right?

    1. Re:Two wrongs by Guysmiley777 · · Score: 5, Funny

      This is an example of two great big balls of suck combining to form a critical mass of suck the likes of which have never been seen. The sheer density of suckage will actually tear a hole in the internet.

      --
      Coding with assembly is like playing with Legos. Coding an application in assembly is like building a car with Legos.
  6. Re:holy shit! by KDN · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sure, now we're going to be innundated with Windows CD's offering 1000 hours of Windows free with your credit card.

  7. Re:woohoo by richdun · · Score: 5, Funny

    Finally putting the two largest scum of the earth together!!

    SCO's involved in this?

  8. Make peace with any gods you believe in by Conspiracy_Of_Doves · · Score: 4, Funny

    The moment the new combined AOL/MSN portal goes online, it will generate a vortex of suck large enough to consume the entire solar system, leaving nothing behind but a cloud of waveforms and probabilities.

  9. Windows + AOL by rlp · · Score: 4, Funny

    So when will Gates announce that AOL is "part of the operating system"?

    --
    [Insert pithy quote here]
  10. MS was feeling left out.... by MrKahuna · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oracle buys Siebel.
    eBay buys Skype.

    Ballmer: (to Bill via bad cell phone connection) Billy-boy, what are we going to do? They're getting more press than us this week.
    Gates: Eh? Oh hell! ( as he spills his coffee on his lap and hangs up)
    Ballmer: Well, ok if you say so.

  11. Re:New portal names after merging by Mitchell+Mebane · · Score: 4, Funny

    How about A/S/L, MON?

    --

    The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
    --Aristotle
  12. Their reason by Cro+Magnon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft isn't satisfied with the worst portal in the world. Now they want to buy the 2nd worst to guarantee their position.

    --
    Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
  13. Mr Pot? Please meet Mr Kettle. by Ralph+Spoilsport · · Score: 4, Funny
    MSN and AOL team up? Yeah - there's a marriage made in heaven. How'd you like to be the poor stiff in Bangalore sorting out the crap that's certain to result?

    Caller: Hi. I have MSN and my AOL account doesn't work. In fact nothing works.

    Banglaore Tech: And sir did you turn the computer on sir?

    Caller: Oh. right.

    Bangalore Tech: Very good sir. Now kindly go fuck yourself sir. Thank you for calling MSN/AOL tech support, you knuckle dragging imperialist asswipe sir.

    RS

    --
    Shoes for Industry. Shoes for the Dead.
  14. Re:holy shit! by soft_guy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sure, now we're going to be innundated with Windows CD's offering 1000 hours of Windows free with your credit card.

    This sounds like something that could be used as a deterent to crime.

    Judge: "You are hereby sentanced 1000 hours of Windows"
    Defendent: "Nooooooooooooooo!"

    Probably wouldn't work though. We have restrictions on cruel and unusual punishment. Windows isn't unusual, but it certainly is cruel.

    --
    Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
  15. Re:holy shit! by Coneasfast · · Score: 4, Funny

    Dude...you just said most worst...incredible...

    sorry, proper english can't describe what MS did.

    --
    Marge, get me your address book, 4 beers, and my conversation hat.
  16. If and when they do merge, they'll need a name... by jpellino · · Score: 5, Funny

    So here's the anagrams for AOL and MSN...

    MAL ONS - MAL SON - LAM ONS
    LAM SON - SALMON - ALMS NO
    ALMS ON - SLAM NO - SLAM ON
    MA SOLN - AM SOLN - MAN LOS
    MAN SOL - MANS LO

    "Salmon" has more logo possibilities;
    "Slam On!" will appeal to the x-treme and H4x0r crowd,
    but "Man, S.O.L.!" is probably closer to what most people think of this development.

    --
    "Win treats sysadmins better than users. Mac treats users better than sysadmins. Linux treats everyone like sysadmins."
  17. Welcome to the New WinAOL OS by Alien54 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Now combining all of the worst features of both into one incredibly tortured interface.

    Can you imagine bootinh windows into the dulcet tones of the AOL Bot saying, "You got Mail?"

    Or AOL with the new and improved advanced Clippy the speaking paperclip help technology?

    --
    "It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
  18. Re:holy shit! by Rei · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hey, I'm glad to hear about this. Kudos to Microsoft for helping unify disparate litigious and malefactious corporate bodies into a single, easier to target entity. Up next: Microsoft to merge with SCO, Haliburton, Monsanto, and the Carlyle Group; to relocate headquarters to the vibrant financial district of Dis.

    --
    You look beautiful! Incidentally, my favorite artist is Picasso.